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While sawing up a large fallen oak branch, I noticed these flying creatures flying in and out of a hollow in the main trunk. There are only a few inhabitants and they seem to make occasional sorties out of their home. One is usually on guard at the entrance and seems to check incoming and outgoing flights. I am familiar with the European hornets, which often feed off oak sap near our garden, but these are smaller and have different markings. They have a very yellow face and look quite fearsome staring out from their guard position. I've checked every photo on google, and can't really match it to any specific type.
Any ideas??

I think the yellow face and abdomen make it a European hornet, and not a pest. I must admit that my impression (that "our" hornets were a browner colour) doesn't seem to be correct.
https://www.bbka.org.uk/faqs/identifying-asian-hornet shows the local one.

By coincidence I found/saw my first hornet around here yesterday - in my wasp trap. I rescued it and it flew off apparently unharmed.
Previously I have only ever seen one at Lyme Regis 40 years ago, then a nest at Woodwalton Fen about 5 years ago.
Presumably it's just another animal moving north with the warming climate - like the allium leaf miner, which has reached here too. That is a pest!
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here it (she) is - a bit smaller than my little finger! Presumably a young queen feeding up before over-wintering.

Another beekeeper has also seen his first ever round here, near beehives but no evidence of them harrassing bees at all.
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